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ByWard Market

'Established by Lt-Col. John By in 1826, the ByWard Market is one of Canada's oldest and largest public markets. The legendary builder of the Rideau Canal, Colonel By himself laid out the street plan of the Market, designating George Street and York Street to be extra wide to accommodate the creation of a public market and gathering place.

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Byward Market

This open air farmer’s market has been running year round since 1827 in several different guises and buildings. A lot of the market’s life comes from its neighbourhood, traditional home to Ottawa’s colourful French and Irish communities, and from the restaurants, bars, nightclubs and cafes which have sprung up around it, and which draw the buskers down to make fill the air with noise as well as with the scent of food. Local produce flows into the restaurants from the market so this is a good place to sit down for a bite as well.